Chief of Communications and Community Partnerships
Reports to: Superintendent or Designee
Days: 239
Pay Grade: 103
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Purpose:
The Chief of Communications and Community Partnerships provides strategic leadership for all internal and external communication efforts across Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD). This position is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy that enhances transparency, strengthens community trust, and supports the district’s mission to improve student achievement.
As the district’s primary spokesperson, this leader will oversee public relations, media engagement, branding, crisis communication, and community partnerships. Chief of Communications and Community Partnerships ensures that FWISD’s messaging reflects accountability, accessibility, and a commitment to serving students, families, and educators.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Strategic Communications Leadership
- Develops and executes a district-wide communications plan that aligns with FWISD’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
- Serves as the primary spokesperson for FWISD, ensuring consistent and transparent messaging across all platforms.
- Leads crisis communications efforts and serves as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Incident Command System (ICS) during emergency situations.
- Works directly with the Superintendent and leadership team to craft clear, proactive messaging that supports district initiatives and policy decisions.
- Oversees district-wide branding and marketing efforts to ensure a strong, unified identity for FWISD.
Public Relations & Community Engagement - Establishes and nurtures strong relationships with media, community leaders, businesses, and stakeholders.
- Leads media relations efforts, including press releases, interviews, and proactive storytelling to highlight FWISD’s successes.
- Designs and implements community engagement initiatives, ensuring that parents, students, and local organizations are informed and involved in district decision-making.
- Works closely with the Board of Trustees to communicate policies, goals, and service innovations to the public.
- Develops and executes strategic social media and digital engagement strategies to enhance community outreach.
Internal Communication & Organizational Alignment - Creates and maintains effective internal communication systems that foster collaboration across schools, departments, and leadership teams.
- Ensures district employees are informed, engaged, and aligned with FWISD’s strategic goals.
- Provides media training and communications guidance to district leaders, principals, and department heads.
- Collaborates with Human Resources and other departments to enhance employee engagement through effective messaging.
Department Leadership & Operations - Leads, supervises, and evaluates the Communications & Community Engagement team, ensuring high-quality performance and professional development.
- Manages the department budget, making strategic resource allocations to maximize impact.
- Implements data-driven decision-making, using analytics to assess communication effectiveness and adjust strategies as needed.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Selects, trains, supervises, and evaluates staff, and makes recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.
Personal Work Relationships - All FWISD employees are expected to uphold the district’s mission, vision, and strategic goals, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
- Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and a strong work ethic in all interactions and responsibilities.
- Provides exceptional customer service, building positive relationships with students, families, colleagues, and the broader community.
- Exhibits cultural competence by respecting diverse perspectives, fostering inclusivity, and promoting collaboration across teams.
- Communicates effectively, contributes to a positive team environment, and navigates challenging situations with professionalism and respect.
Other Duties as Assigned
- Performs all job-related duties as assigned and in accordance to the Board rules, policies and regulations. All employees are expected to comply with lawful directives in rare situations driven by need where a team effort is required.
Travel Requirements - Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.
Physical & Mental Demands, Work Hazards - Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals.
- Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
- Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.
- Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds).
- Environment: Works in an office setting; may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours.
- Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position.
- Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.
Minimum Required Qualifications - Education: Master’s degree in Communications, Business Administration, Education Administration or related field.
- Certification/License: Clear and valid Texas Driver's License required; Insurable by the District's insurance carrier required;
- Experience:
- A minimum of five years of experience in administration working for a large institution, organization, or corporation, including at least three years as a senior leader
- Experience leading media relations and/or brand management initiatives
- A demonstrated track record of success in leading communications and change management programs for large, complex, high-visibility organizations.
- The proven ability to effectively manage strategic communications campaigns and a proactive, high-profile communications media relations program.
- Experience in executing a successful and strategic social media campaign with proven results.
- Demonstrated the ability to maximize limited funding and resources to achieve the greatest value and impact.
- Demonstrated skill in reputation building, crisis management, and proactive message development.
- Experience serving as a trusted advisor to the leadership team.
- Strong strategic acumen and the ability to translate strategic information into clear and concise messages.
- Excellent strategic agility and hands-on ownership of action-based project plans.
- Language: Bilingual (English/Spanish) working proficiency preferred.
This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
